Over the last few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down and created a paradigm shift in how the world works.
From working to socializing, we have had to make significant adjustments due to the lockdown. Social distancing has also kept us away from our loved ones, especially from those that are stuck overseas.
However, the tide is beginning to turn as non-essential travel restrictions are starting to ease. The latest rules allow Canadians to reunite with their immediate family members, for the first time since March 2020.
While immediate family members can now get sponsored to travel across borders into Canada, the principal applicant(s) will have to meet all requirements, including admissibility. However, if anyone is showing signs of the coronavirus infection, then they will be rejected.
What does this mean for international students? Those that can travel and want to study in Canada must apply online and only complete applications will be process. As Canadian VACs (Visa Application Centres) slowly re-open around the world, getting biometrics is one of the issues with getting completed applications for Study Permits. So, incomplete applications will then be assessed and processed in 2 stages.
Stage 1 is assessing eligibility and documents:
- letter of acceptance from a DLI
- proof of funds for paying tuition, travel and living expenses (including any family member(s) travelling with student)
- return transportation for student and accompanying family member(s) after course of study
- evidence that a student will return to your home country after Canadian immigration status is no-longer valid
If your documents are in-order, then applications move to stage 2. In stage 2, applications are assessed for admissibility and any changes to your eligibility. The following documents/information will be reviewed:
- medical exam, if needed
- police certificates, if needed
- your biometrics (biometrics currently by appointments only at nearest VAC)
- any information that changed from stage 1 application for eligibility
As for Letter of Acceptance from DLI, here at Western Community College we will accept student admissions based on:
- official travel documents (ie passport)
- previous education documents (High School or Post-secondary education transcripts)
- suitability for the field of study and work experience and/or any other training related to the chosen program
- language requirement to meet edibility for the programs
*official language test accepted are:
- CELPIP, ILETS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic (Please see accepted test results from our webpage per program)
*currently it is difficult to get official language test conducted. WCC can accepted the following English competency test:
- Duolingo, LPI (Language Placement Index), WCC Online Language Assessment, and any other English language assessment test with equivalent score.
Western Community College will issue Letter of Acceptance to students looking to start their study with the college and help them move to Stage 2 (while they wait for biometrics).
Once stage 2 is pass then applications will be process and a study permit issued to the student. However, if travel restricts student from traveling to Canada, then students are allowed to start their studies online while they await approve to travel. Western Community College current is offering all its programs online.
Please visit our website for full details about the 45 plus programs offered here at WCC. Together we can help build a future for students here in Canada, or for them to take their Canadian experience back home and for their future benefit.
